{"id":"F2006B09376","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/70 Amdt 1 - Main Servocontrol Rods","slug":"ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53670,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09376-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/70 Amdt 1 - Main Servocontrol Rods","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/70 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/70\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nMain Servocontrol Rods 7/2003 TX\n\nApplicability: All AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB and D, fitted with servocontrols listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of this Directive.\n\nTable 1 - TRW-SAMM Main Servocontrols part number (P/N) SC 5083 and SC 5084 with part numbers without the suffix “V” with the following serial numbers:\n\n| Part Number | Serial Number          |\n| ----------- | ---------------------- |\n| SC 5083     | 1500 to 1515 inclusive |\n| SC 5084     | 722 to 726 inclusive.  |\n\nTable 2 - Main and tail servocontrols, P/N SC5081-1, SC5082-1, SC5083, SC5084, SC5071-1 and SC5072, with part numbers without suffix \"V\", with the following serial numbers:\n\n| Part Number | Serial Number                          |\n| ----------- | -------------------------------------- |\n| SC5081-1    | 78, 89, 227, 240, 315, 362, 427, 451,  |\n|             | 452, 492, 497, 498, 506, 512,532, 550, |\n|             | 556, 561.                              |\n| SC5082-1    | 045, 180, 194, 197, 254, 264.          |\n\nTable 2 continued\n\n| Part Number | Serial Number                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |\n| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| SC5083      | 01, 03, 05, 082, 17, 21, 40, 43M, 65M,77, 87, 103M, 106M, 107, 109, 128,129, 138, 139, 144, 148, 152, 206, 207,218, 221, 226, 235, 239, 240, 241, 243,254, 256, 269, 286, 287, 290, 291, 302,312, 321,325, 327, 330, 331, 334, 338,339, 347M, 356M, 365, 371, 372,378M, 380M, 389, 412M, 418, 423,428, 439, 484M, 503, 505, 525, 526,528, 529, 573M, 587, 594M, 598, 612,622, 1150 to 1155, 1157, 1159 to 1169,1180 to 1199, 1207, 1208, 1210 to 1259,1269, 1291 to 1499. |\n| SC5084      | 013, 025, 31, 75, 087, 87, 101M, 102,105, 108, 136, 160, 162, 165M, 203,205, 205M, 209, 220, 225, 232M,239M, 267M, 271, 288M, 292, 300,320, 364M, 458, 612, 627, 630, 632 to634, 636 to 652, 654, 656 to 660, 682 to721, 727 to 731, 733 to 756.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| SC5071-1    | 343, 389.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |\n| SC5072      | 003, 35, 108, 197, 216M, 253M, 339M,347M, 432M, 700 to 724, 726 to 744,763 to 768, 783 to 789, 820 to 883.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n\nNote 1: Servocontrols that have been checked or reconditioned by TRW-SAMM and are identified by a letter “V” engraved to the right of the part number on the identification plate.\n\nRequirement: 1. Unless previously accomplished check whether any of the servocontrols listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of this Directive are installed on the aeroplane.\n\n    2. Unless previously accomplished replace any servocontrols listed in Table 1 with servocontrols not listed in Table 1 or Table 2.\n\n    3. Replace any servocontrols listed in Table 2 with servocontrols not listed in Table 1 or Table 2.\n\n    4. Do not install any servocontrols listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of this Directive.\n\nNote 2: DGAC AD 2003-099(A) refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Before further flight.\n\n    2. Before further flight.\n\n    3. Within 550 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this Directive.\n\n    4. From the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 9 May 2003.\n\nBackground: This Directive was prompted by advice that a manufacturing defect has been detected in a batch of rods of the main servocontrol. Failure of the rod will lead to loss of control of the helicopter. This amendment is prompted by additional defects being discovered in servocontrols with additional part numbers and serial numbers.\n\nThis original issue of this Directive became effective 3 December 2001.\n\n![Signature of James Coyne, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nJim Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 May 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 May 2003.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The amendment expands the set of affected servocontrol part numbers and serial numbers relative to the original AD (original issue effective 3 December 2001). It revokes the prior AD and broadens mandatory inspection, removal and non‑installation requirements after additional defects were discovered, thereby increasing the population of units subject to mandatory replacement and the compliance burden on operators (Background; Requirement)."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed technical applicability: two tables list many specific part numbers and dozens of serial numbers (Applicability; Table 1 & Table 2).","Multiple mandatory actions with different timings: immediate checks/replacements before next flight, and a longer 550 flight‑hour/24‑month window for others (Requirement 1–4; Compliance).","Safety‑critical short deadlines increase operational disruption risk (Compliance: \"Before further flight\").","Identification nuance: reconditioned servocontrols are marked by a suffix \"V\", changing applicability (Note 1).","Logistical and cost burden on operators: inspections, parts sourcing, aircraft downtime and replacement parts availability (Requirement; Compliance).","Regulatory change: revokes prior AD and is issued under CASR subreg 39.1(1), so affected parties must follow the new mandatory instrument rather than earlier guidance (opening paragraph).","Potential for identification errors due to varied serial formats (letters, leading zeros, ranges and 'M' suffixes) increasing compliance risk (Table 2 entries).","Cross‑reference to a foreign airworthiness authority directive (DGAC AD 2003‑099(A)) implies coordination but may create interpretation differences (Note 2)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive revokes an earlier AD and requires operators of Eurocopter AS350 (B/BA/B1/B2/B3/BB/D) helicopters fitted with specified TRW‑SAMM servocontrols to inspect serial and part numbers, remove listed main and tail servocontrol rods, replace them with unlisted units, and not reinstall listed units. Some removals must occur before the next flight; others within 550 flight hours or 24 months. It matters because the affected rods have manufacturing defects that can cause rod failure and loss of control, shifting inspection, replacement and downtime costs to aircraft owners/operators."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This amendment significantly expanded the scope beyond the original 2001 directive. The background explicitly states this amendment was 'prompted by additional defects being discovered in servocontrols with additional part numbers and serial numbers.' Table 2 was added or substantially expanded to cover many more part numbers and serial numbers than the original directive, which apparently only covered the limited set now in Table 1. The safety order grew from addressing one batch of defective rods to covering multiple manufacturing batches across several servocontrol models."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive tabular data: Two detailed tables listing specific part numbers and serial numbers (over 200 individual serial numbers across multiple part number ranges)","Cross-referencing required: Operators must cross-check their aircraft's installed components against both tables to determine applicability and required action","Tiered compliance deadlines: Four separate requirements with different compliance times (immediate vs. 550 hours/24 months)","Technical aviation terminology: References to specific helicopter models, servocontrol part nomenclature, and manufacturer designations (TRW-SAMM, DGAC)","Conditional logic: Requirements 1-2 include 'unless previously accomplished' clauses creating conditional obligations","Amendment structure: Revokes and replaces previous directive, requiring understanding of amendment relationship to original AD/ECUREUIL/70"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order targets certain Eurocopter AS350 helicopters fitted with defective main servocontrol rods that could fail and cause loss of control. It requires immediate checks, immediate removal of the highest-risk rods, timed removal of remaining affected rods (550 flight hours or 24 months), and bars any future installation of the listed parts.\n\nIt affects AS350 owners, operators and maintenance engineers and amends a 2001 safety order after further defective parts were identified."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-70-amdt-1-main-servocontrol-rods/documents"}}